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WANTING
to prove that he isn’t just another one-punch wonder,
newly crowned International Boxing Federation (IBF)
flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. has expressed his
desire to get another world title in his next bout.
In an
interview with BusinessMirror moments after his title
conquest, Donaire’s father, Nonito Sr., revealed Team
Donaire wants to meet longtime World Boxing Council (WBC)
flyweight kingpin Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand in a
unification battle.
“Nonito’s comfortable in the flyweight at the moment.
Now that we own a piece of the flyweight division, we
might as well go for another crown,” the older Donaire
said before they traveled back to their home in
California.
On
Saturday, the 24-year-old Donaire scored one of the
biggest upsets in boxing this year after he dominated
previously unbeaten Vic Darchinyan of Australia inside
five rounds in a world-title fight in
Connecticut.
“My plan
is to unify the flyweight division before going back to
super-flyweight. Weight is definitely not an issue for
me right now as I feel comfortable making the flyweight
limit,” Donaire said even a week before his compelling
conquest of the Armenia-born Darchinyan.
The
lanky Donaire, who feasted on salmon and pasta to keep
his weight down, easily made the 112-lb limit during the
official weigh-in and was even two pounds under the
limit prescribed the morning of the fight.
TV Deal
MOMENTS
after their triumph in
Connecticut,
Donaire immediately received feelers from major
Philippine television networks for possible deals for
his upcoming fights.
One of
them has offered to help finance Donaire’s next title
defense here in the Philippines before the end of the
year.
“Kung
kami lang, we’re more than willing to fight before a
hometown crowd. It’s always an honor for us,” said
Nonito Sr. “But of course any offer na darating dapat
dumaan sa manager namin. We have our
American manager Cameron Dunkin and he takes care of
matters regarding our schedule.”
He added
that it would probably be a good idea if a unification
bout between his son and Pongsaklek would serve as the
main attraction of the upcoming WBC annual convention to
be held some time in November in Manila.
“Magandang
laban ’yun. I believe it will still create quite a
stir here because Pongsaklek’s name has been
consistently mentioned before as possible opponent of
established fighters in the United States,” added
Donaire’s father.
The
southpaw Pongsaklek, 29, holds the record for the most
number of title defenses as well as the fastest knockout
win scored in the flyweight division.
Pongsaklek, who won the title in March 2001 at the
expense of Filipino pug Malcolm Tuñacao, has since
defended the title 17 times. In one of his defenses, the
Thai fighter (65-2, 34 KOs) scored a 34-second knockout
win over Daisuke Nato of Japan in April 2002.
Rematch
ANOTHER
option the Donaires are considering is a possible
rematch with Darchinyan.
During
their postfight interview, the 31-year-old Darchinyan
bragged that he was never hurt seriously after getting
caught with a perfectly timed left hook. The 31-year-old
Darchinyan tried to stand up on rubbery legs but fell
forward to the ropes, forcing the referee to call a halt
to the bout.
“I got
caught with a great shot and these things happen in
boxing. Of course I want a rematch,” Darchinyan went on.
The last
fight they are mulling over is a bout with US Olympic
trials conqueror and former WBC light-flyweight champion
Brian Viloria.
“Sa
tingin ko [kasi] walang bibili niyan,” Nonito Sr.
said. “Marami naman sigurong laban para sa amin
because marami din na mga quality Mexican
opponents sa division kung hindi din lang si
Pongsaklek ang makakalaban ni Jun-Jun,”
After
his smashing first-round knockout victory over Mexican
Eric Ortiz for the WBC 108-lb crown in September 2005,
Viloria lost the belt to unheralded Mexican Omar Niño
Romero the following year.
Viloria,
born in Hawaii to Ilocano parents, failed to win back
the crown after he dropped close verdicts against Romero
in a rematch and later on to Edgar Sosa, the current
champion.
Incidentally, Viloria beat both Donaire Jr. and younger
brother Glenn during the US Olympic trials for the 2000
Sydney Olympics which the brothers felt were
controversial decisions.
The
Donaires, meanwhile, are looking forward to coming back
to the country and share their latest glory with their
countrymen.
“Madalas
naman kami bumalik before para pasyalan ang
relatives namin,” the Donaire patriarch said.
“Pero siyempre, hindi pa naman kami kilala before
kaya halos walang nakakaalam about the closeness of
our family.”
PacMan
sparring
CONTACTED by BusinessMirror yesterday, Filipino boxing
sensation Manny Pacquiao extolled the feat of Donaire.
Though
he still has to watch the bout over the weekend,
Pacquiao said he was not surprised with the victory of
his provincemate.
“Magaling
talaga si Donaire at matagal ko na silang kilala.
Alam ko na darating ang panahon magcha-champion
din siya,” said Pacquiao.
When
asked about the future of Donaire, Pacquiao said a
longer and significant reign is not far-fetched as long
as discipline and hard work will always come into play
for the newest boxing sensation.
Pacquiao
revealed that Donaire sparred a few times with him when
the current Filipino superstar was still campaigning in
the super-bantamweight class.
Champ
comes home
FLORANTE
CONDES, the other Filipino who wore a championship belt
in the weekend, was expected to arrive last night from
Jakarta.
Condes
snatched the IBF minimumweight crown from local hero
Muhammad Rachman Saturday night at the RCTI TV station
in Jakarta. The 27-year-old southpaw dropped Rachman
once each in the third and 10th round to seal the
victory.
Condes
is expected to appear today at the PSA Forum in Manila.
GMA
lauds ring heroes
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the Filipino
people in congratulating the country’s two newest boxing
heroes.
In a
statement, the President hailed Condes and Donaire for
exemplifying “the fighting spirit of the Filipino
athlete.”
“We
salute their achievement and rejoice in their victory.
These men, described in the press as underdogs, prove
they belong to the league of champions,” she said. |
